Ukrainians can now exchange their driver's licenses.

Since August 18, 2026, the Ukraine has been officially added to Annex 11 of the German Driving Licence Regulations (FeV) – the list of countries whose driving licences can be converted into German licences without a driving test. This is a significant relief for Ukrainian refugees. Less well known is that this same list has also been used for years to... USA (depending on the state), Canada and Great Britain includes. Who as skilled worker , within the framework of a secondment or jointly with the Family in the course of the Anyone moving to Germany for family reunification should be aware of this regulation – because an overlooked driver's license can have legal consequences that go far beyond the loss of the driving privilege.

How long are you allowed to drive in Germany with a foreign driver's license?

Anyone from a country outside the Anyone from the EU or EEA who moves to Germany and establishes their habitual residence here may, according to Section 29 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV), continue to drive with their foreign driving licence for six months. Upon application, the competent authority can extend this period by a further six months if it is credibly demonstrated that the stay in Germany will not last longer than twelve months – a detail that is particularly important for short-term stays. Temporary postings The employment contract is relevant. This also applies to students who are applying for their employment. Studying in Germany for more than six months, as well as accompanying persons spouses and Children within the framework of Family reunification falls under this deadline. Important: The foreign driver's license must be carried in its original form; for documents not in German, it must be carried outside of [the relevant time frame]. EU , EEA and Switzerland additionally with a certified translation or an international driving permit.

For driving licenses from A different rule applies to EU or EEA countries: According to § 28 FeV, they remain fully valid until their own expiry date and can then be rewritten without examination.

What happens if you miss the deadline?

Anyone who continues driving without a valid driver's license after the six-month period has expired is not merely committing a minor offense, but a criminal offense under Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) – punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year. What many don't know: such a conviction has consequences for later immigration proceedings. Naturalization , for example, requires § 12a Nationality law generally grants immunity from prosecution; only convictions of up to 90 daily rates or three months' imprisonment are disregarded. A seemingly minor infraction like an expired driver's license can therefore have repercussions years later. naturalization or when extending a Residence permits can prove to be a problem of explanation. From our experience, we know that case workers at the immigration authority or the The State Office for Immigration may indeed inquire about corresponding entries in the certificate of good conduct – a fact that many clients would not have expected.

For employers, there is another point to consider: If a company car is used, the company is also liable if the driver's license of a seconded employee was no longer valid. Human resources departments that Those recruiting skilled workers from abroad should therefore include the re-registration process firmly in their relocation checklist.

What are the requirements for re-registration according to Annex 11 of the German Driving Licence Regulations (FeV)?

The conversion according to § 31 FeV in conjunction with Annex 11 FeV is the most convenient way: Anyone who obtained their driving licence in a listed country generally does not have to take either a theoretical or a practical driving test. Canada and Great Britain is fully listed, in the In the USA, it depends on the issuing state: While states like California, Illinois, or Washington allow conversions completely without testing, states like Texas, Florida, or North Carolina additionally require a theoretical test – a practical driving test, however, is not required in any US state.

For the conversion, you will need your original driver's license and a copy, as well as a valid [document/document/etc.]. You will need your passport , a biometric passport photo, proof of registration (registration certificate), and, if the documents are not in German or English, a certified translation. The fee in Berlin is currently around €37.50. The citizens' registration office handles the application and forwards the documents to the driver's license authority, which in turn can verify the authenticity of the driver's license with the relevant German embassy or consulate – a process that typically takes two to four months.

What applies to driving licences from countries outside Annex 11?

If your driver's license is from a country that is neither a For EU citizens , and for those whose vehicles are still listed in Annex 11 of the EEA, the authorities additionally require an eye test, a first-aid course, and a full theoretical and practical driving test. In practice, this primarily affects... Skilled workers from countries outside North America and Europe's and is therefore more time-consuming and costly than for most clients from the USA , Great Britain or Canada.

Conclusion

The recording of the Ukraine's inclusion in Annex 11 of the German Driving License Regulations (FeV) is a good opportunity to raise awareness of a regulation that is important for... skilled workers from the USA , In the UK and Canada, it's already the case that a foreign driver's license is only valid for six months after moving. After that, failure to comply can result not only in a fine but also in a criminal offense with potential consequences for future residency and citizenship proceedings. Planning ahead saves unnecessary trouble – and anyone unsure about the validity period should consult a qualified professional. Residence permit or Anyone considering naturalization should seek advice in good time.